By Wisconsin Scouting Staff

The Madison Preseason I.D. is ready to roll out, videos are updated and analyzed, notes are crosschecked, and our staff has broken down the top players at each position. Follow the links for complete statistical analysis and quick hits from the event.

Leading off our coverage of the Madison Preseason I.D. is the catchers.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Jeff Holtz, C/3B, Arrowhead, 2018
Indiana commit. Lanky frame started to fill out this winter, up 20 pounds from the summer, 6-foot-4, 207-pound catcher. Premium right-handed bat, squared setup, smooth loading action, on time, leg lift stride, lower half works, excellent balance throughout. Loose hands, hard contact, shows bat strength, confident approach in the box, gap to gap contact, gets extension through contact. 101 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 78 mph out of the crouch and 85 mph across the diamond, short over the top slot, showed it could play athletically on the infield, carries. 1.89-2.01 pop times, above average receiver, actions on the infield will play well at third base. 6.93 runner in the 60.

2. Nathan Stevens, C/OF, Waunakee, 2019
Arkansas commit. 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher, loose lean frame with athleticism. Premium left-handed bat, hits from an open stance, leg kick trigger, active hand load. Hands are loose, violent aggressive swing, barrel control. Explosive bat speed, short path with extension, athletic hitter. 97 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed quick catch and throw actions, gets out of the chute well with big arm that carries at 80 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 1.92-2.00. Showed a big arm from the outfield as well, 90 mph. 7.17 runner in the 60.

3. Drake Baldwin, C, Madison West, 2019
Strong athletic build on a 6-foot-186-pound frame, left-handed hitting catcher. Offensively hits from an open stance, tall setup, rhythmic load, short stride, good balance. Loose hands generate bat speed, gap to gap type, occasional hard lifted pull side contact. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 76 mph out of the crouch, short over the top slot. 1.97-2.10 pop times, quick feet out of the chute, strong, durable athletic receiver. High follow uncommitted 2019 prospect.

4. Connor Manthey, C/INF, Columbus, 2018
Bradley commit. Strong 6-foot-1, 215-pound catcher/third baseman. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, quiet load, short stride. Physical hitter, bat strength, easy pop, hard contact to pull side, loose hands. 93 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm action is short and over the top, carried at 79 mph. 2.04-2.08 pop times, clean exchange. Third base type infielder, arm carried at 83 mph across. 7.42 runner in the 60.

5. Connor Handel, C/INF/RHP, Edgewood, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound multi-positional player, solid build. Defensively arm action is short, over the top and carries, 84 mph across the diamond, 77 mph out of the crouch. Profiles as a catcher/third base type, feet work well out of the chute, quick exchange, 1.99-2.05 pops. Hands play on the infield, average range and body control, plays tall at times with actions. 7.23 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, open setup, leg lift stride with good balance. Raw bat speed and flashes pop, aggressive swing on level plane. 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. On the mound showed a versatile three pitch mix. Fastball is straight and pounds the zone, touched 83 mph, 79-82 mph. Curveball has 11/5 shape, showed feel with short break, 66-71 mph. Straight changeup occasionally showed cut, 72-74 mph.

6. Nick Zeeveld, C, Indian Trail, 2018
Strong physical body type, 6-foot-2, 200-pound catcher with pop in right-handed bat. Hits from a balanced stance, slightly wider and crouched, short stride. Short compact powerful stroke, aggressive swing with loud contact. Gap to gap approach, 94 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.26 runner in the 60, laser timed. Defensively arm showed carry, 79 mph, over the top slot. 1.99-2.09 pop times, quick transfer.

7. Jake Goodman, C, Nicolet, 2019
Strong build, 5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher, athletic build. 6.88 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride with leg lift, good balance. Aggressive swing, pull side uphill path, showed bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 74 mph out of the crouch, short over the top slot, played accurate. Pop times at 1.97-2.05, quick and direct out of the chute.

8. Jack Haufle, C/OF, Oregon, 2019
Highly athletic frame, wide shoulders, narrow waist, 6-foot, 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher/outfielder. Offensively hits from an open stance, loads hands back, leg lift stride, slight dive. Loose bat speed, repeats swing, level path occasionally uphill, pull side tendency with pop. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm carried, some effort, over the top slot, 80 mph out of the crouch, 90 mph from the outfield. Pop times ranged 2.15-2.25, tendency to get long strided and uphill out of the chute, athletic catcher, flexible setup, quiet receiver. 7.15 runner in the 60.

9. Jake Berg, C, Bay Port, 2020
5-foot-10, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher, solid build. Defensively arm worked quick, short and over the top, 75 mph out of the chute. Quick transfer, athletic feet, 2.00-2.11 pop times. Quiet receiver, sets up low, showed agility and flexibility. Offensively hits from a balanced stance, slightly open stance, stride is on time and back to square, balanced. Athletic hitter, short path to the baseball with loose hands. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.39 runner in the 60.

10. Colin Kalinowski, C/OF, Oak Creek, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitting catcher, solid athletic build. Defensively showed actions in the outfield and behind the plate. Plays through the baseball aggressively in the outfield, crowhops through the ball, feet work well. 7.30 runner in the 60. Arm action is loose and over the top, 86 mph from the outfield, 74 mph out of the crouch. Pop times posted at 2.00-2.06, receives well in pens, soft and quiet. Left-handed hitter, slight open stance, short quiet stride, solid balance. Path is short and uphill, contact lifted gap to gap, showed bat speed. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

11. Dane Weiland, C, Chippewa Falls, 2019
6-foot, 190-pound catcher, strong wide shouldered build. Right-handed hitter, opened stance, tall setup, leg kick trigger, good balance. Shows bat strength, muscled swing, short path with extension, showed line drive contact, occasionally pull side. 92 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is long, 74 mph out of the crouch, 81 mph from the outfield, over the top slot. 2.05-2.15 pop times, feet work well out of the chute, gets directional. 7.46 runner in the 60.

12. Alex Cyskiewicz, C, Catholic Memorial, 2019
6-foot, 200-pound catcher, thick strong build, broad shouldered. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg kick trigger. Aggressive swing with bat speed, attacks the baseball violently, long uphill path. 97 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played accurately, 73 mph out of the crouch, over the top slot. 2.05-2.15 pop times, directionally longer footwork out of the crouch. Ran the 60 at 7.62.

13. Conlan O’Brien, C, Sun Prairie, 2019
6-foot, 165-pound catcher. Arm played accurately, 73 mph from a short over the top slot. 2.00-2.08 pop times, athletic out of the chute, quick block and recover, showed agility behind the dish, flexible setup. 8.01 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, slightly longer stride, average balance. Level path, flashed line drive capabilities. 76 mph exit velocity from the tee.

14. Kade Bohlman, C, Janesville Parker, 2018
6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher, strong athletic shape. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, loads hands back, short lift stride. Simple approach, stays quiet, hard contact with bat speed, swing plays. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 71 mph out of the crouch. Pop times registered at 2.10-2.16. Ran the 60 at 7.57.

15. Cameron Dupont, C, West De Pere, 2020
6-foot-1, 170-pound catcher, lanky projectable frame. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, hanging lift stride, on time. Path is level, some length, showed bat speed with some whip through the zone. 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top at 76 mph, showed raw arm strength. 2.04-2.12 pop times. 7.70 runner in the 60.

 

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Justin Baehler, C, Mineral Point, 2020
5-foot-10, 185-pound catcher, strong thick build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, slight leg lift stride. Line drive contact, flashed extension. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 72 mph, firm high ¾ slot, 2.08-2.20 pop times, stays crouched. Ran a 7.75 60.

Trevor Benz, C, Hale, 2018
5-foot-9, 186-pound catcher, strong thick build, wide shouldered. Defensively arm played short and over the top, stayed on line, 66 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.16-2.18, quiet receiver. Right-handed hitter, open setup, leg lift stride. Long uphill path, flashed bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.84 runner in the 60.

Ben Bergeron, C, Waterford, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound, catcher/outfielder. 7.13 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, leg lift stride. Path is level, line drive type contact, 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short, high ¾ slot, 74 mph out of the crouch, 83 mph from the outfield. Pop times range 2.14-2.19.

Beau Blackdeer, C/OF, DeForest, 2019
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher/outfielder. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, leg lift trigger. Above average bat speed, path works uphill, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 79 mph from the outfield, 73 mph out of the crouch. Works through the baseball in the outfield, crowhops through. Pop times are 2.18-2.26, athletic receiver. 7.86 runner in the 60.

Brett Bradison, C, De Pere, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound catcher, lean average frame. Defensively has a quick release out of the crouch, pop times at 2.17-2.19. Arm played at 67 mph, over the top slot. Right-handed hitter, closed setup, short lifted stride. Slight pull side approach, uphill path, 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Ran a 7.51 in the 60.

Mason Buelow, C, Elkhorn, 2020
5-foot-9, 170-pound catcher, average build for age. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. On time, loose hands, level path. 75 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 69 mph, ¾ slot. 2.20-2.38 pop times, sets up low, showed flexibility. 7.87 runner in the 60.

Benjamin Burroughs, C, Whitefish Bay, 2019
5-foot-10, 150-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, short stride, minimal lower half, average balance. Path works uphill, 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 66 mph out of the crouch. 2.28-2.51 pop times. 7.54 runner in the 60. 

Caleb Dammen, C, Milton, 2019
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher. RIght-handed hitter, open setup, short stride, works off back side, rotational type. Pull side contact, uphill path, showed occasional extension. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 67 mph out of the crouch, high ¾ slot. Gets tall out of the chute, 2.30-2.43 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.65.

Matthew DePrey, C, Sun Prairie, 2020
5-foot-9, 150-pound catcher, lean, lively frame. Defensively receives well, quiet flexible setup, showed soft hands, quick to block. 2.19-2.26 pop times, feet work well and directionally. Arm played over the top, 68 mph out of the crouch. Right-handed hitter, slight open stance, short stride, good balance. Shows bat speed for age, opposite field contact, slight uphill path. 77 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.93 runner in the 60.

Mitchell Flett, C, Peshtigo, 2019
5-foot-6, 130-pound catcher, average build. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, slightly crouched, heel lift trigger. Aggressive swings, long path, slight uphill, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively pop times registered at 2.29-2.37. Arm plays at 63 mph, high ¾ slot. 7.36 runner in the 60.

Owen Greene, C, Madison Memorial, 2018
5-foot-8, 170-pound catcher, strong athletic build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride, simple pre pitch. Path works uphill, creates topspin contact, flashed bat strength. 81 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.70 runner in the 60. Defensively showed above average receiving skills, willing and active blocker. Arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, 72 mph out of the crouch. 2.10-2.18 pop times.

Trey Gordon, C/INF, Barneveld, 2019
5-foot-7, 145-pound catcher/infielder. Right-handed hitter, slightly open stance, short stride, drops hands into load. Pull side approach, slight uphill path. 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively showed ability to play on move on the infield, solid defender, occasionally gets it deep. Pop times ranged 2.22-2.30, feet worked out of the chute. Arm plays at 70 mph out of the crouch, 69 mph across the diamond. 7.86 runner in the 60.

Trevor Gustafson, C, Webster, 2019
6-foot-1, 170-pound catcher, lanky frame. Right-handed hitter, wide setup, leg kick stride. Raw hitter, average bat speed, solid approach, occasional line drive contact in BP. 82 mph exit velocity from the tee. Arm played at 69 mph out of the crouch, over the top slot. Pop times 2.30-2.36, gets tall, can gain more ground. 7.59 runner in the 60.

Henry Jacobs, C, Edgewood, 2018
6-foot, 180-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short stride. Path works uphill with lift. 78 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 68 mph out of the crouch, firm over the top. 2.19-2.40 pop times, gets directional and long strided out of the crouch. 7.55 runner in the 60.

JR Johnson, C, Antioch (IL), 2018
5-foot-11, 160-pound catcher, lean build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, tall setup, short lifted stride. Path works uphill, some looseness and bat speed. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 67 mph, short over the top slot. 2.10-2.19 pop times. 7.51 runner in the 60.

Mikey Kirkbride, C, Pewaukee, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, slightly crouched setup, short stride, loads body without hands, average balance. Path is level, occasional line drive contact, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays over the top, long exchange, 64 mph. Pop times ranged 2.24-2.30. 7.51 runner in the 60.

Kolton Koch, C, Monona Grove, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound left-handed hitting catcher. Hits from a crouched setup, open stance, loads hands back, short stride to even, solid balance through contact. Bat strength, flashed hard lifted contact. Showed bat speed, rhythmic hitter. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.42 runner in the 60. Defensively arm played at 65 mph long high ¾ slot. Long strided out of the chute with misdirection, 2.16-2.25 pop times.

Dayne Leonard, INF/C, River Valley, 2018
5-foot-10, 160-pound infielder/catcher. Defensively showed above average receiving actions, hands played softly, ability to stick the low strike. Exchange plays, short over the top arm action out of the chute, showed it can play athletically on the infield, 73 mph out of the crouch, 78 mph across the infield. Pop times at 2.16-2.22. On the infield showed above average actions, and ability to play athletically on the move. Right-handed hitter, tall balanced setup, short stride. Hits with rhythm, loose hands, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.91 runner in the 60.

Glavine Matthes, C/1B, Appleton North, 2019
5-foot-11, 180-pound left-handed hitter catcher/first baseman. Offensively hits from an open, tall setup, loads hands back, leg lift stride. Long path, flashed line drive contact, 76 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is over the top, 67 mph out of the crouch, 68 mph across the diamond. 2.39-2.50 pop times. Playable actions around the bag at first base. Ran a 8.66 in the 60.

Thomas Otto, C, Appleton North, 2020
6-foot, 180-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, slightly open and narrow stance. Flashes bat speed, uphill path, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played with accuracy, short over the top slot, 68 mph out of the crouch. 2.15-2.25 pop times, quick release, showed athleticism in ability to block and recover, above average receiver. 7.84 runner in the 60.

Brice Peth, C, Ripon, 2020
Lanky 6-foot, 170-pound frame, room to fill, catcher/third baseman. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, short reverse lifted stride, average balance. Path has slight uphill plane, flashed extension, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and firm, over the top slot, 75 mph out of the crouch, across the diamond played at 76 mph. Pop times recorded at 2.29-2.33. Quiet setup, hands worked within framework. 7.55 runner in the 60.

Zach Schneider, C/INF, Appleton East, 2019
5-foot-6, 165-pound catcher/infielder. Right-handed hitter, open stance, leg lift stride, average balance. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short from a high ¾ slot, 77 mph across the infield, 71 mph out of the crouch. Hands and feet work on the infield, third base type projection. Pop times at 2.16-2.26. Ran the 60 at 7.66.

Beau Schumacher, C, Kimberly, 2019
6-foot, 155-pound catcher, lean athletic body type. Defensively shows athletic feet, worked directionally, 2.12-2.21 pop times. Arm played short and over the top, 73 mph out of the crouch. Right-handed hitter, tall narrow setup, reverse tap stride. Aggressive swing, showed bat speed, uphill path, 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. 7.69 runner in the 60.

Zachery Shipley, C, Middleton, 2018
5-foot-10, 200-pound catcher, solid build. Right-handed hitter, open stance, tall setup, short stride. Showed easy bat speed, keeps hands high, works short to the baseball. 91 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm played at 65 mph out of the crouch, long high ¾ slot. Side steps out of the chute, could stay under the baseball, 2.25-2.33 pop times. 7.45 runner in the 60.

Noah Taege, C, Freedom, 2019
5-foot-11, 170-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, crouched setup, leg lift stride. Path has some length, uphill extension, showed line drive contact. 85 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm plays at 71 mph, short over the top slot. Pop times at 2.15-2.25. 722 runner in the 60.

Colton Toutant, C, Hortonville, 2019
6-foot, 182-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, open stance, toe tap stride, solid balance. Path works uphill, can get lower half involved more. 80 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively plays low and crouched out of the chute, 2.26-2.36 pop times. Arm played at 74 mph out of the chute. 7.84 runner in the 60.

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